disputed lead throughout, ridden and could not go pace of leader 3 out, took it up travelling well 2 out, clear last, eased down run-in
in rear, pushed along and struggling 6 out, blundered 3 out, never in contention
held up, not fluent 5th, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, untidy 3 out, plugged on
chased leader, pushed along and weakened 4 out, tailed off
disputed lead throughout, took it up 6 out, increased tempo 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out when not fluent, no extra last
NonRunner
The Unit ended a long losing run here last month under Brian Hughes and is only 3lb higher but JOKE DANCER was more like his old self at Wetherby following wind surgery and Sue Smith’s charge is thrown in here on his best form. Baron De Midleton is now 0-12 over fences but Numitor has claims if forgiven his latest run at Sandown though, like Across The Line, has been doing his racing in chases over 2m.
Numitor 9-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went left 9th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Gunsight Ridge (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Port Of Mars (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In rear, pushed along 9th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
The Unit (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 9th, mistake 4 out, soon switched left, challenging when not fluent 3 out, led next, stayed on, won at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb beating Road Warrior (11-8) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Joke Dancer 7-2 (11-2) Jumped right, led until after 5th, stayed handy, every chance 4 out, held 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Hasankey (11-10) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Across The Line (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th, 1/2 length down 3 out, soon driven and beaten, not fluent and well held from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-8) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Baron De Midleton (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 10th, led before not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Just Call Me Al (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
